Can I Pressure Wash Painted Wood?


Do you enjoy pressure washing things to return them to their original glory? Have you ever wondered: Can I pressure wash painted wood?

Pressure washing painted wood will efficiently remove or chip away the paint. When you pressure wash, the water comes out at such a high pressure that it will remove most if not all the paint on the wood.

Pressure washers have great potential to clean and restore objects. Read on to find what else you should know about pressure washers before you begin your next pressure washing experiment.

What is Pressure Washing?

Pressure washing, or sometimes referred to as power washing is using a pressured machine to spray water to clean an object. This is a very effective cleaning method, but can also be dangerous if done incorrectly.

Pressure washers push out water at a pressure of 3,000 pounds per square inch. This high pressure can easily cut through flesh and cause very serious injuries. If you have never used a pressure washer, it is important to understand the basics of the machine before you attempt to use it.

If you are really into making your yard and house look clean, a pressure washer is a great investment.

Where can I get a Pressure Washer?

Pressure washers can be purchased from a variety of different places. You can find pressure washers at your local outdoor or landscaping store. You can also (of course) find a higher variety of pressure washers to choose from online.

3 Pressure Washers to look into.

Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric High Pressure Washer

This pressure washer is highly recommended and has great reviews. Customers who have purchased this pressure washer rave on how reliable this machine is.

  • This machine ranges from $140 to $170
  • You can reach a pressure of 1450 Pound per Square Inch

click here to view this product on Amazon

Homdox 2500 PSI,1.5GPM Pressure Washer Electric Power Washer

The Homodox pressure washer will give you everything you could need from a pressure washer. This machine has great reviews on multiple different sites, and is highly recommended from customers who have purchased.

  • This pressure washer is priced from $100 to $120
  • You can reach a pressure of 2500 Pound per Square Inch

Click here to view this product on Amazon

Paxcess Electric Pressure Washer 3500PSI 1.85GPM High Power Washer

When you purchase the Paxcess Electric Pressure Washer, you can expect a great and high quality pressure washer. This pressure washer is highly recommended and greatly recommended among customers who have purchased this pressure washer.

  • The average price for this pressure washer is $220 to $230
  • This can reach a pressure of 3500 Pound per Square Inch

Click here to view this product on Amazon

What to Pressure Wash.

Non-Wood Siding

Pressure washers are great to remove any debris or caked-on dirt on the siding of your house or building. This is great for getting in between the siding panels to ensure you have removed all the dirt.

Driveways

Driveways are a great use for your pressure washer. Removing all the dirt, mud, and anything else the kids may have stuffed in between the concrete panels is an easy and satisfying task with a pressure washer.

Tip: Start from the top and work your way down so that all the grime will follow the way down.

The Garage Floor

While working on your driveway, it’s a great idea to get the garage floor done at the same time. Cleaning out the garage can be a daunting task, but the satisfaction that comes when you are done is worth all the time and effort put into it

If you decide to clean both your driveway and garage floor on the same day, we recommend working on the garage floor and making your way down to the driveway. This will prevent any redoing yo u have have to do.

Decks

This is something which must be done on a low pressure. If you pressure wash a deck at too high of a pressure, you could easily remove any paint or stain which is on the deck.

If you are looking into restaining or repainting a deck, pressure washing at high pressure is a great way to get the job done quickly and easily.

Fences

Fences always seem to get so dirty and gross. Pressure washing them will easily get rid of any of the grime or debris you have noticed on your fence.

If you have a metal fence, you can pressure wash at whatever pressure you feel comfortable with.

If you have a wood fence it the same as cleaning your deck. You need to do a lower pressure if you have any paint or stain on the wood that you want to stay on there. If you are planning on repainting or restaining your fence, pressure washing at high pressure will easily remove any paint or stain on your wood.

Outdoor Furniture

It seems like every time you do a nice deep clean of your backyard, a rain and wind storm is on its way to destroy all your hard work. Luckily a pressure washer makes the job quick and easy, so its not as daunting of a task to clean. Cleaning your outdoor furniture is a great use of your pressure washer.

Similar to the fence: if your furniture is metal, use whatever pressure you feel comfortable using on your furniture.

If the furniture is wood you have to use a low pressure to protect the paint or stain which is on the wood. If you are looking into repainting or restaining the outdoor furniture, pressure washing at high pressure is an easy way to complete that task.

What you should never Pressure Wash.

Wood Siding

While you are cleaning, water can break apart some of the wood and push things out of place. The water can also get lodged into there and can begin to mold the wood. The high pressure of the water will also remove any paint or stain you have on your wood siding.

Electrical Panels and Meters

Although this may seem like something obvious, it is important to note as these do continue to be pressure washed. The water can (and most likely will) seep into the cracks and crevices of the box and can damage the electrical materials inside. This can destroy electrical material, and could potentially cause harm to someone due to an electrical shock or electrocution.

Asphalt Shingles

Pressure washing the shingles on your roof can cause some of the material holding them in place to be loosened or removed. The shingles will then be detached from your roof. You can also remove some of the shingle, keeping them attached to the roof, but damaged and no longer protecting your roof to its fullest ability.

Air Conditioners

While cleaning air conditioners, the high pressure of the water will crush and bend the delicate fins. This will restrict airflow and break your air conditioner.

Instead: use a butter knife to straighten the bend fins, and use a vacuum and light water pressure (like a hose) to gently clean the air conditioner unit.

Lead Paint

Pressure washing the lead paint will remove all of the paint, but spreading lead paint into the air and into all surrounding areas is not a good idea. Especially if you have children, pets, or are attempting to grow plants.

Old Mortar

Pressure washers will damage weathered brick houses and other surfaces with old mortar on them. Any and all loose materials on the buildings will be blasted away destroying some of the structure.

Living Things (Like Plants)

This one is hopefully a no-brainer. Pressure washing plants and other live things has great potential to kill or harm them. Instead, use a very gentle pressure of water to wash them (like a hose).

Painted Surfaces That You Want to Stay Painted

As already addressed with the emphasis of this article, pressure washers will remove or chip away at the paint on painted surfaces, including wood surfaces. Wash with a lighter water pressure to ensure the quality of the paint on the wood.

Windows

DO NOT PRESSURE WASH WINDOWS! The pressure of the water could break the windows, causing a dangerous mess and another bill to cover.

Vehicles

Pressure washing vehicles can cause some of the water to go into the cracks and can damage the mechanics of your vehicle. Washing the exteriors can break the windows and the interior can be greatly damaged.

Outdoor Light Fixtures

Although these features can withstand the weather, pressure washing them can break the exterior parts of them. It can also force water inside, damaging the electrics of your appliance.

Gutters

Though it may seem tempting, pressure washing gutters can cause more damage than good. The gutters can break or bend from the pressure.

Instead: remove the debris by hand, and the clean the inside with a garden hose.

Stained Wood

If you intend on removing the stain from the wood, spray away, as this will get the job done. If not, do not pressure wash stained wood as it will pull the stain right off.

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